Things to Do in Southeast Asia in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Southeast Asia
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Lowest accommodation prices of the year across most destinations - you'll find 30-40% discounts compared to December rates, particularly in beach areas where hotels are desperate for bookings during the shoulder season
- Andaman Sea visibility actually peaks in May before monsoon murkiness sets in - the Similan Islands and Surin Islands offer 25-30 m (82-98 ft) visibility, though most liveaboards shut down by May 15th so you need to book early-month departures
- Mango season hits its absolute peak - you'll see six varieties you've never heard of at markets for ฿40-60/kg, and the street vendors selling sliced mango with sticky rice are everywhere because locals are gorging on them too
- Significantly fewer tourists at major temples and cultural sites - Angkor Wat sees roughly half the visitors compared to January, meaning you can actually photograph the sunrise galleries without 200 people in your frame
Considerations
- The heat is genuinely punishing between 11am-3pm - locals retreat indoors during these hours for good reason, and you'll understand why after one afternoon of sightseeing leaves you completely drained
- Afternoon thunderstorms are nearly guaranteed in most regions - they typically roll in between 2-5pm, last 45-90 minutes, and can completely flood streets in Bangkok and Chiang Mai within 20 minutes
- Many island destinations either close entirely or run reduced services - the Similan Islands officially close May 15th, and boat services to smaller islands like Koh Lipe become unreliable as operators prepare for monsoon season
Best Activities in May
Northern Thailand Temple and Mountain Exploration
Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are actually more comfortable than the south in May - still hot at 34°C (93°F), but the afternoon rains are shorter and the mountain elevation provides relief. The Golden Triangle region sees almost no tourists right now, and the Mekong River is full from early rains, making boat trips more scenic. Morning temple visits work perfectly if you start at 7am before the heat builds.
Early Morning Bangkok Food Market Tours
The 5am-9am window is genuinely magical in May - temperatures are actually pleasant at 26°C (79°F), and you'll see how locals navigate the heat by doing everything important before 10am. Khlong Toei Market, Or Tor Kor Market, and the Chinatown wholesale markets are in full swing with seasonal fruits. You'll avoid both the midday heat and the tourist crowds that don't exist in May anyway.
Similan Islands Liveaboard Diving (Early May Only)
This is your last chance until November - the national park closes May 15th every year. Visibility is extraordinary at 25-30 m (82-98 ft), water temperature is perfect at 29°C (84°F), and you'll see manta rays and whale sharks that haven't been harassed by tourists for months. The catch is you need to book departures between May 1-12 since operators wind down quickly.
Monsoon Waterfalls in National Parks
Erawan Falls, Khao Yai, and northern parks are absolutely spectacular in May - the early rains mean waterfalls are flowing strong without the full monsoon chaos that comes June-August. You'll have these places nearly to yourself since Thais avoid the heat and foreigners fear the rain. The 7am-11am window gives you 4 solid hours before afternoon storms roll in.
Ayutthaya Ruins Exploration by Bicycle
Controversial opinion, but May is actually better than cool season for Ayutthaya if you time it right. Start at 6:30am when the ruins open, finish by 11am, and you'll see these UNESCO temples in golden morning light with almost nobody around. The moat system that surrounds the old city is full from early rains, making it photogenic in ways the dry season can't match. Yes, it's hot, but the lack of tour buses is worth it.
Air-Conditioned Museum and Art Gallery Circuit
Bangkok's museum scene has exploded in the past three years, and May is when you'll actually appreciate spending 2-3 hours in climate-controlled spaces. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, and the new Museum Siam are legitimately world-class. Locals pack these places on hot weekends, which tells you something. The 1-4pm slot that's miserable for outdoor activities is perfect for this.
May Events & Festivals
Visakha Bucha Day
The most important Buddhist holiday of the year, celebrating Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death - all believed to have occurred on the same date. Falls on the full moon of the sixth lunar month, which in 2026 lands on May 12th. Temples across Thailand hold candlelit processions after sunset where locals walk clockwise around the main hall three times. Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho in Bangkok are spectacular, but you'll find equally moving ceremonies at any neighborhood temple. Alcohol sales are prohibited nationwide, and many restaurants close.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Ancient Brahmin ritual held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok, usually early May, where sacred oxen predict the year's harvest by choosing between rice, corn, beans, and other offerings. The exact date is determined by court astrologers and announced only weeks ahead. Locals take the predictions seriously, and you'll see thousands of Thais scrambling to collect the blessed rice seeds scattered during the ceremony. Fascinating cultural spectacle if you happen to be in Bangkok when it occurs.